IED Vision Rapida: A 1990s-Inspired Sports Car for the Next Generation

A Collaboration of Innovation

The Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin has again demonstrated the creativity of its Transportation Design students with the presentation of the Vision Rapida, a concept car created in partnership with Italdesign. This 1:1 scale model is more than an academic exercise—it's a preview of what a budget-friendly, compact sports car for Generation Z might be.

A Nod to the 1990s, Built for Today

Inspired from Japan's golden age of performance vehicles, the Vision Rapida gets its styling inspiration from icons like the Toyota Supra Mk4 and Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R. Its fastback design isn't just cosmetic in nature but is also used for aerodynamic improvements and has space for practical storage space, an essential aspect while making this vehicle something beyond a weekend toy.

Dario Lauriola, Exterior Designer at Italdesign, emphasized the students’ vision:

“With Rapida, they wanted to respond to the lack of those small sports cars that offered young people fun and affordable driving experiences in the 1990s.”

Designed for Versatility and Accessibility

Unlike traditional concept cars that cater to a single brand or powertrain, the Vision Rapida is designed with adaptability in mind. It can accommodate internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains, making it a flexible platform that could appeal to multiple manufacturers.

Italdesign’s Business Development Officer, Andrea Porta, explained:

“Rapida captures the essence of JDM and recalls the cars and cultural products loved by Generation Z.”

Key Specifications

• Bringing back budget sports cars – Drawing inspiration from legendary 1990s JDMs, the Vision Rapida reimagines the excitement of affordable performance cars for modern youth drivers.

• Designed for all types of powertrains – From gasoline to hybrid to fully electric, this concept is designed to be versatile with different drivetrain options, rendering it future-proof.

• Where learning and innovation converge – Designed by IED students in collaboration with Italdesign, the Vision Rapida is a testament to the future of automotive design talent breaking new ground.

Styling: Modern Meets Manga

The Vision Rapida's design combines brutal, cutting-edge cues with the pop culture influences of Japan, street fashion, and manga. At the front, its aggressive headlights and creased bumper confer a strong attitude, and the sleek fastback rear combines with a discreet spoiler for enhanced visual drama.

Within, the cabin adheres to a minimalist ethos, with an aircraft-style wraparound dashboard and a digital display in place of conventional switchgear. While no official interior pictures have been published to date, IED teases an immersive yet intuitive experience.

A Hands-On Learning Experience

The Vision Rapida was developed as part of IED’s 2023-2024 Master’s in Transportation Design program. Over six months, students worked under the mentorship of Italdesign professionals, with technical partners such as Scuderia Torino, Pirelli, OZ Racing, and Lechler contributing to the final prototype.

While IED previously showcased its projects at the Geneva Motor Show, the Rapida will instead make its public debut at Milan’s Fuorisalone from April 7-13 before moving to the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin from April 15 to May 4.

If you'd like to see more detailed photos, you can check out pictures of the Vision Rapida here.

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